Control system for frying apparatus

ABSTRACT

In apparatus for deep fat frying, control circuitry is provided for regulating the temperature of heating elements. During cooking the heating elements are immersed in cooking fluid and are maintained at a selected temperature by an operating thermostat. Two high limit thermostats are provided to turn off the heaters if the temperature exceeds a predetermined safe limit. For cleaning, the heating elements are raised out of the cooking fluid and automatically disconnected from the operating and first high-limit thermostats. The heaters are cyclically actuated and deactuated by a thermal time delay relay, to gradually raising the heater temperature to achieve pyrolytic cleaning of the heating elements. The second high-limit thermostat turns off the heating elements when a predetermined temperature is reached, ending pyrolytic cleaning.

United States Patent [191 Price CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FRYING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: George M. Price, Shreveport, La.

[73] Assignee: The Frymaster Corporation,

Shreveport, Caddo Parish, La.

[22] Filed: June 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 479,761

[ Mar. 11, 1975 3,720,155 3/1971 Fritzsche 99/337 Primary ExaminerVolodymyr Y. Mayewsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hubbard, Thurman, Turner & Tucker [57] ABSTRACT In apparatus for deep fat frying, control circuitry is provided for regulating the temperature of heating elements. During cooking the heating elements are immersed in cooking fluid and are maintained at a selected temperature by an operating thermostat. Two high limit thermostats are provided to turn off the heaters if the temperature exceeds a predetermined safe-limit. For cleaning, the heating elements are raised out of the cooking fluid and automatically disconnected from the operating and first high-limit thermostats. The heaters are cyclically actuated and deactuated by a thermal time delay relay, to gradually raising the heater temperature to achieve pyrolytic cleaning of the heating elements. The second high-1imit thermostat turns off the heating elements when a predetermined temperature is reached, ending pyrolytic cleaning. 9

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,664,490 12/1953 Allgeyer 219/454 2,668,898 2/1954 Von Behren 219/404 2,805,314 9/1957 Michaelis 219/437 2,847,554 8/1958 Huffman 219/442 3,041,440 6/1962 Dills 219/394 3,242,849 3/1966 Wells 99/411 3,459,923 8/1969 Harris, Jr... 219/480 3,573,861 4/1971 Lecrone 99/404 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a control system for frying apparatus. More particular, this invention concerns a thermostat control system for regulating and limiting the temperature of heating elements during cooking and pyrolytic cleaning cycles.

In deep fat frying system the electric heating elements often become coated with residues from the oil and cooked products after prolonged cooking periods. Cleaning the elements by hand is quite tedious and time consuming. Thus, the practice of burning off the elements, called pyrolytic cleaning, is sometimes employed. In pyrolytic cleaning the heating elements are raised to relatively high temperatures, usually between 600 and 900 F. Above about 1000 F. the burner elements may discolor and oxidize, possibly resulting in permanent damage to the elements. Moreover, pyrolytic cleaning has been found to be safer and more effective if the temperature of the elements is raised gradually to allow slow burn-off to occur and decrease the possibility of damage to the heating elements and associated apparatus.

During cooking, malfunctions of the operating thermostat may cause overheating of the cooking fluid resulting in burning of the product, premature deterioration of the cooking fluid and even flash burning of the fluid. Thus, the cooking fluid temperature must be maintained below a safe temperature limit, usually about 475 F. in order to insure a safe and efficient cooking operation. I

The present invention concerns control apparatus for use in frying systems to regulate and limit the temperature of heating elements during cooking and pyrolytic cleaning. A first control circuit is provided for maintaining the temperature of the elements below a first predetermined cooking limit. A second control circuit maintains the temperature of the heating elements below a second predetermined limit during pyrolytic cleaning of the elements. A function switch selectively connects said first control circuit or said second control circuit to the heater elements depending upon whether cooking or pyrolytic cleaning of the elements is desired.

In another aspect of the invention, a high-limit cooking thermostat is connected to a frypot heater to limit the cooking temperature of the heater. A high-limit burn-off thermostat is connected to the heater for maintaining the temperature of the heater below a higher temperature during pyrolytic cleaning. A switch operates to bypass the high-limit cooking thermostat during pyrolytic cleaning to allow the heater to rise to the higher temperature before being disconnected by the burn-off thermostat.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, identical first and second high limit thermostats are attached to heating elements in a frypot. The heating elements operate in cooking fluid during a cooking phase and can be raised out of the fluid and burned off during a pyrolytic cleaning phase. The first and second thermostats are both connected intothe heater circuitry during the cooking phase in cooking fluid, and are set to open above a safe operating temperature limit. The second thermostat remains in the heater circuitry during the pyrolytic cleaning phase and is set to open above higher temperature limit. A percentage relay cycles the heaters off and on to slow the temperature rise of the heater elements during pyrolytic cleaning, thereby protecting the elements from damage and improving the efficiency of the cleaning process. A manual reset switch is provided to prevent automatic recycling of the thermostats after the predetermined temperature limits have been exceeded. A function switch automatically disconnects the first thermostat when the heating elements are raised out of the cooking fluid and automatically reconnects the first thermostat when the heating elements are returned to cooking position in the fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a frying apparatus incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the frying apparatus of FIG. 1 with the heater coils in raised position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational partial view of the frying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the lower coil of the frying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional front view of the lower coil of FIG. 3 taken along line 5-5; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the control circuitry for the frying apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a frying apparatus 10 includes a rigid housing structure 12 supporting an upper panel 14. A cooking basin 16 is provided in the top of housing structure 12 behind front panel l4for containing cooking fluid normally used in deep fat frying. A back panel 18 extends vertically above the rear of cooking basin 16. A suspension plate 20 is connected to extend horizontally across back panel 18 just above cooking basin 16. Plate 20 is positioned to suspend wire mesh cooking baskets (not shown) over the cooking fluid of basin 16.

A plurality of heating elements 22 are suspended horizontally near the bottom of cooking basin l6. Elements 22 include two upper coils 24 and 26 and a lower coil 28. Coils 24, 26 and 28 are conventional heating coils of the type used in frying apparatus. Preferably the coils are made of solid tubular heat conducting material. Alternately, conventional tubular sheath enclosed coils or any other type of heat generating coils may be used. Each coil is mounted on two cross bar pieces 30 and 32 by suitable straps 34. A pair of connecting rods 36 are integral with each coil and extend vertically up the back of cooking basin 16 to attach to a pivot piece 38 at the base of back panel 18. 'A lever arm 40 extends vertically down the back of cooking basin l6 and thence horizontally to pivotally connect to one of cross bar 32 at pivot point 42. A loop 44 is provided at the top of lever arm 40 for pulling the arm 40 to tilt heating elements 22 upward out of basin 16 as shown in FIG. 2. I

As best seen in FIG. 3, an operating thermostat 50 is mounted on a sloping inner wall of upper panel 14 A temperature selector dial 52 is mounted on the front of upper panel 14 for selecting the. desired temperature for the operating thermostat 50. A heater light 54 is provided. at the center of selector dial 52 to indi- 'cate the on-off status of the heating elements. A main on-off switch 56 ismounted on the right side of selector dial 52 and is provided with'a main indicator light 58 therein. 'A high limit light 60 is mounted on the left side of selector dial 52 to indicate shut down of the heater elements because of excessive temperatures.

FIGS. 3,4 and Sdisclose the heating elements 22 and associated thermostats in more detail. Coils 24, 26 and 28 are shown in cross-section as preferably of solid heat conducting material. A first high limit thermostat 66 is connected above one side of lower coil 28 by a metal strap 68. A second high-limit thermostat 70 is further mounted above the other side of coil 28 by a metal strap 72. Thermostats 66 and 70 are preferably pressure bulb thermostats being filled with a temperature sensitive liquid, such as mercury, and having capillary tubes67 and 71 running along lower coil 28 and connecting rods 36 to back panel 18. Both thermostats have a"fail-safe construction so that if the bulb or capillary leaks the thermostat switch will open. A manual reset switch (not shown) is provided in connection with thermostat 70 to prevent inadvertent automatic start-up after thermostat 70 has opened the circuit. The

reset switch includes a hold-in relay which must be reset by hand before the circuit will be reactivated. First high-limit thermostat 66 is spaced further closer to lower coil 28 than second high-limit thermostat 70. Thermostat 66 is in series with operating thermostat 50 and functions during the cooking process to turn off heater elements 22 if the temperature of the cooking fluid exceeds a critical temperature, normally about tilted upward out of the cooking fluid as shown in FIG.

2, first high-limit thermostat 66 is disconnected from the circuit and second high-limit thermostat 70 allows the coils of elements 22 to reach a much higher temperature, about 900 to 1000 F, before being shut off.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distance D1 between first high-limit thermostat 66' and lower coil 28 is somewhat less than the distance D2 between second high-limit thermostat 70 and lower coil 28. The distance D1 is critical for proper shut-down of the cooking circuitry at very low oil levels, especially when the oil level drops below the coils, as required in safety testing. Distance D1 must be accurately determined or fire may result. Distance D2 is also critical during pyrolytic cleaning. If

D2 is too great, excessive element temperatures may damage the coils during burn-off. On the other hand, if second high-limit thermostat is placed too close to the coils 28, premature shut-down of the heating elements 22 may occur. Distances D1 and D2 are not as critical during cooking because the cooking fluid conducts the heat more readily. Although first high-limit thermostat 66 is closer to the coils, it has been found that second high-limit thermostat 70 will shut off the coils at about the same time. Both thermostats 66 and 70 are located abovethe heating elements in order to obtain accurate readings because of convection currents of thecooking fluid and the atmosphere;

FIG. 6 discloses the electrical circuitry 78 employed for automatically regulating and limiting the cooking and cleaning processes using apparatus 10. Electrical inputs 80, 81 and 82 are connected to a contactor having contacts 84a,- 84b, 84c, 84d and a reverse contact 842. That contactor in turn is connected through a contactor'having contacts 86a, 86b and 860, to heating elements 22 comprising upper coils 24 and 26 and lower coil 28. A contactor coil 88 is positioned to activate contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, and 842 and a contactor coil 90 activates contacts 86a, 86b, and 86c. A circuit breaker 92 is connected between input line 82 and circuitry 78 to prevent damage from overloading. The other side of circuit breaker 92 is connected in parallel to contact 84d and a reset switch 96. An on-off switch 56 is provided at the output of contact 84d and switch 96. Main indicator light 58 is connected between the on-off switch 56- and neutral. The second high-limit thermostat 70 is also connected between reset switch 96 and neutral through contactor coil 88.

The other side of on-off switch 56 is connected to a two-way function switch 98 having an upward position with post 100 for a cooking function and a downward position in contact with post 102 for a cleaning function. Connected to post 100 in series are first high-limit thermostat 66 and operating thermostat 50. On the other side' of thermostat 50, connected in parallel, are a biasing heater 104 for use in conjunction with operating thermostat 50, heater light 54, and contactor coil 90. Connected to post 102 of function switch 98 is atwo-way percentage relay switch 106 having an upward burn-off position when in contact with a post 108 and a downward delay position when in contact with post 110. Connected to post 110 is a heater resistor 112 which operates in association with delay relay switch 106. Heater resistor l 12 is in turn connected to neutral. Reverse contact 84c is connected between circuit breaker 92 and neutral through high-limit light 60 and closes whenever thermostats 66 and 70 open contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d because of a high temperature condition.

In operation, power, usually volts, is impressed on control circuit 78 through inputs 80, 81 and 82. Circuit breaker 92 is normally closed. When reset switch 96 is depressed, contactor coil 88 is activated to close contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d and to open reverse contact 84e. A circuit is maintained through second high-limit thermostat 70 by contact 84d which will continue to hold until interrupted by a power loss or a high temperature condition opening thermostat 70. The frying apparatus .10 is placed in operation by closing on-off switch 56. When heating elements 22 are positioned in cooking basin 16, switch 98 is in the upward cooking position in contact with post 100. Activating switch 56 therefore energizes contactor coil 90 closing contacts 86a, 86b, and 86c and supplying power to heating elements 22. Thermostats 66 and 50 are also actuated as well as biasing heater 104. The selected cooking temperature on selector dial 52 is maintained by operating thermostat 50 which turns heating elements 22 off and on.

Should operating thermostat 50 fail for any reason, first high-limit thermostat 66 will cut off contactor coil 90 and open contacts 86a, 86b, and 860 shutting down heating elements 22 as soon as a preselected temperature has beenreached. As previously mentioned, the critical temperature is normally considered to be around 475 F. above which danger or damage may occur. If contactor coil 90 welds or sticks shut, second high-limit thermostat 70 will open, dropping out contactor coil 88 and open contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d to turn off heater elements 22 and prevent fire or damage.

When it is desired to clean the coils, the end loop 44 of lever arm 40 is grasped and pulled upward to tilt heating elements 22 out of the cooking fluid to a vertical position as shown in FIG. 2. This action automatically throws function switch 98 downward to contact post 102 in the cleaning position. Percentage relay switch 106 is normally downward against post 110 in the delay position. A closed circuit is thus formed bypassing operating thermostat 50 and first high-limit thermostat 66. The temperature of heating elements 22 is allowed to rise to a pyrolytic bum-off level of about 600 to 900 F. During this rise in temperature, percentage relay switch 106 cycles between its burn-off position in contact with post 108 and its delay position in contact with post 110. After remaining in the delay position for about seconds, heater resistor 112 reaches a temperature sufficient to throw the contacts of switch 106 to post 108 thereby energizing contactor coil 90 and heating elements 22. After cooling off, delay relay switch 106 again drops to make contact with lower post 110 in the delay position, turning off heating elements 22 and reactivating heater resistor 112. This cycling action provides for an approximate on time of 40 percent for the heater elements 22 and biasing heater 104 thereby slowing the rate of temperature rise of the heater elements 22.

In this manner, the pyrolytic burn-off of accumulated dirt, food and other debris on heater elements 22 is accomplished gradually and no risk is taken that damaging temperatures may be inadvertently reached. After several minutes of pyrolytic burn-off, the heater elements 22 will reach a temperature sufficient to open second high-limit thermostat 70 and deactivate contactor coil 88. Contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d are thereby opened, turning off heating elements 22. As previously mentioned, thermostat 70 is provided with a reset switch which cannot automatically restart the circuit but must be manually reset. Normally sufficient burnoff has occurred by the time thermostat 70 opens the circuit that the cooking process may be resumed. Heating elements 22 are allowed to cool and then are returned to the cooking fluid by pushing lever arm 40 down. Reset switch 96 is then depressed to again begin the normal cooking operation.

It is understood from the foregoing description that the control system of the present invention provides several important advantages over other systems. By providing for pyrolytic cleaning of the heating coils,

considerable delay, time and effort are eliminated. The coils need not be cooled down in order to clean the coils. The high-limit thermostats connected directly to the heating coils provide a simple means for protecting the coils during the cooking and cleaning processes. As previously indicated, the same type thermostats may be used for both applications by simply placing them different distances from the heating coils and setting them to cut off at different temperatures. By using these two thermostats, the possibility of damage to the coils or other equipment is avoided.

Moreover, the automatic operation of the thermostats eliminates any need for the operator to reach across the cooking fluid during cookingor near the heating coils during the pyrolytic cleaning to adjust or turn off controls thereby risking injury. The use of the thermal percentage delay relay insures that the temperature of the heating elements will not rise too rapidly during the pyrolytic cleaning phase but will gradually burn off the accumulated debris from the coils before being turned off by the second high limit thermostat. The manual reset circuit for the high-limit thermostats provides a fail-safe feature to prevent automatic restart when not desired. Moreover, the automatic operation of the function switch in response to movement of heating coils out of or into the cooking basin eliminates the need for further operator action.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed but is capable of rearrangement, modification and substitution without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a system for frying foods, control apparatus for regulating the temperature of heating elements during a cooking phase with the heating elements immersed in cooking fluid in a frypot and during a pyrolytic cleaning phase with the heating elements exposed to the atmosphere, comprising:

first control means for maintaining the temperature of said elements below a first predetermined limit during said cooking phase,

second control means for maintaining the temperatures of said elements below a second predetermined limit during said pyrolytic cleaning phase, and

switch means for connecting said first control means in communication with said heating elements during said cooking phase and for connecting said second control means in communication with said heating elements during said pyrolytic cleaning phase.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means includes high-limit thermostat means adjacent said heating elements for turning off said elements when said first predetermined temperature limit is reached.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said high-limit thermostat means includes a manually actuated reset switch to prevent said thermostat means from automatically turning on said heating elements when said temperature drops below said first predetermined limit, after said elements have been turned off by said thermostat means.

4..The apparatus of claitn2 wherein said high-limit thermostat means includes first and second high-limit thermostats positioned above. said heating elements in sufficiently close proximity thereto to sense the temperature of. said elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second con.- trol means comprises burn-off thermostat means adjacent said heating elements for turning off said elements when said second predetermined temperature limit is reached.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 whereinsaid burn-off thermostat means includes a manually actuated reset switch to prevent said thermostat means from automatically turning on said heating elements when said temperature drops below said second predetermined limit, after said elements have been turned off by said thermostat means.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said burn-off thermostat means comprises a thermostat positioned above said heating elements in sufficiently close proximity thereto to sense the temperature of said elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second control means includes a percentage relay which intermittently turns said heating elements off and on during the pyrolytic cleaning phase inorder to slow the increase in the temperature of said elements toward said second predetermined temperature limit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said percentage relay turns on said heating elements approximately 40 percent of the time during the pyrolytic cleaning phase.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means further comprises adjustable control means for maintaining said heating elements at a selected temperature during said cooking phase.

11. The apparatus of claim wherein said adjustable control means comprises a temperature selector device for manually selecting said temperature, and an operating thermostat for cycling said heating elements to maintain said selected temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said thermostat is positioned at the front of said frying system remote from said heating elements, and further comprising a biasing heater positioned in close proximity to said thermostat for simulating the heat output of said heating elements.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means and said second control means each include a high limit thermostat adjacent said heating elements having a manually actuated reset switch to prevent automatic reactuation of said heating elements after having been turned off by said thermostat.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a function switch for automatically connecting said second control means to said heating elements when said heating elements are raised out of said cooking fluid. I 5 15. in a frypot for deep fat frying having an electrical heater in a frypot and being adapted-to be connected to a power source, and

electrical circuitry for maintaining the heater at a selected cooking temperature and for raising the heater temperature to clean the heater by pyrolytic burn-off, control apparatus comprising:

a high-limit thermostat adjacent said heater and electrically connected in-said circuitry for disconnecting said heater from said power source when said heater exceeds a first predetermined maximum temperature during cooking,

a burn-off thermostat adjacent said heater and electrically connected in said regulator circuitry for disconnecting said heater from said power source when said heater exceeds a second predetermined maximum temperature during pyrolytic burn-off, and

switch means for disconnecting said high-limit thermostat from said circuitry during pyrolytic burn-off and for connecting said high-limit thermostat to said circuitry during cooking.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprisa thermal relay switch for cyclically disconnecting and connecting said heater with said power supply during pyrolytic burn-off. Y

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said high-limit thermostat is connected above said heater at a first fixed distance and said burn-off thermostat is connected above said heater at a second fixed distance.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprising a manual reset switch to prevent automatic restart after shut-down of said circuitry by said thermostats.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprising anoperating thermostat for maintaining said heater at said selected cooking temperature during cooking, said operating thermostat being remote from said heater and having an adjacent biasing heating element for heating said operating thermostat to simulate said heater.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said burn-off thermostat also functions as a back-up to said highlimit thermostat to disconnect said heater from said power source when said heater exceeds said first predetermined maximum temperature and said high-limit thermostat fails. 

1. In a system for frying foods, control apparatus for regulating the temperature of heating elements during a cooking phase with the heating elements immersed in cooking fluid in a frypot and during a pyrolytic cleaning phase with the heating elements exposed to the atmosphere, comprising: first control means for maintaining the temperature of said elements below a first predetermined limit during said cooking phase, second control means for maintaining the temperatures of said elements below a second predetermined limit during said pyrolytic cleaning phase, and switch means for connecting said first control means in communication with said heating elements during said cooking phase and for connecting said second control means in communication with said heating elements during said pyrolytic cleaning phase.
 1. In a system for frying foods, control apparatus for regulating the temperature of heating elements during a cooking phase with the heating elements immersed in cooking fluid in a frypot and during a pyrolytic cleaning phase with the heating elements exposed to the atmosphere, comprising: first control means for maintaining the temperature of said elements below a first predetermined limit during said cooking phase, second control means for maintaining the temperatures of said elements below a second predetermined limit during said pyrolytic cleaning phase, and switch means for connecting said first control means in communication with said heating elements during said cooking phase and for connecting said second control means in communication with said heating elements during said pyrolytic cleaning phase.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means includes high-limit thermostat means adjacent said heating elements for turning off said elements when said first predetermined temperature limit is reached.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said high-limit thermostat means includes a manually actuated reset switch to prevent said thermostat means from automatically turning on said heating elements when said temperature drops below said first predetermined limit, after said elements have been turned off by said thermostat means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said high-limit thermostat means includes first and second high-limit thermostats positioned above said heating elements in sufficiently close proximity thereto to sense the temperature of said elements.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second control means comprises burn-off thermostat means adjacent said heating elements for turning off said elements when said second predetermined temperature limit is reached.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said burn-off thermostat means includes a manually actuated reset switch to prevent said thermostat means from automatically turning on said heating elements when said temperature drops below said second predetermined limit, after said elements have been turned off by said thermostat means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said burn-off thermostat means comprises a thermostat positioned above said heating elements in sufficiently close proximity thereto to sense the temperature of said elements.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second control means includes a percentage relay which intermittently turns said heating elements off and on during the pyrolytic cleaning phase in order to slow the increase in the temperature of said elements toward said second predetermined temperature limit.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said percentage relay turns on said heating elements approximately 40 percent of the time during the pyrolytic cleaning phase.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means further comprises adjustable control means for maintaining said heating elements at a selected temperature during said cookIng phase.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said adjustable control means comprises a temperature selector device for manually selecting said temperature, and an operating thermostat for cycling said heating elements to maintain said selected temperature.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said thermostat is positioned at the front of said frying system remote from said heating elements, and further comprising a biasing heater positioned in close proximity to said thermostat for simulating the heat output of said heating elements.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control means and said second control means each include a high limit thermostat adjacent said heating elements having a manually actuated reset switch to prevent automatic reactuation of said heating elements after having been turned off by said thermostat.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a function switch for automatically connecting said second control means to said heating elements when said heating elements are raised out of said cooking fluid.
 15. In a frypot for deep fat frying having an electrical heater in a frypot and being adapted to be connected to a power source, and electrical circuitry for maintaining the heater at a selected cooking temperature and for raising the heater temperature to clean the heater by pyrolytic burn-off, control apparatus comprising: a high-limit thermostat adjacent said heater and electrically connected in said circuitry for disconnecting said heater from said power source when said heater exceeds a first predetermined maximum temperature during cooking, a burn-off thermostat adjacent said heater and electrically connected in said regulator circuitry for disconnecting said heater from said power source when said heater exceeds a second predetermined maximum temperature during pyrolytic burn-off, and switch means for disconnecting said high-limit thermostat from said circuitry during pyrolytic burn-off and for connecting said high-limit thermostat to said circuitry during cooking.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprising: a thermal relay switch for cyclically disconnecting and connecting said heater with said power supply during pyrolytic burn-off.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said high-limit thermostat is connected above said heater at a first fixed distance and said burn-off thermostat is connected above said heater at a second fixed distance.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprising a manual reset switch to prevent automatic restart after shut-down of said circuitry by said thermostats.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 and further comprising an operating thermostat for maintaining said heater at said selected cooking temperature during cooking, said operating thermostat being remote from said heater and having an adjacent biasing heating element for heating said operating thermostat to simulate said heater. 